Monica Isaacman

[NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman @NASAAdmin]

Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, who showed endless patience with me as a child, to my incredible wife Monica, and to all the amazing mothers across the NASA family.

[Jared Isaacman @rookisaacman]

While at the @ExplorersClub last night, I had the chance to show my daughters the flag that Neil Armstrong, @TheRealBuzz and Michael Collins took to the Moon on Apollo 11.

[Jared Isaacman @rookisaacman]

A bit of clarification--though I don’t think my circumstances are particularly interesting or consequential. That said, and regardless of the points below, the President is entitled to assemble the leadership team he believes will best serve his administration.

I have been relatively apolitical--a right-leaning moderate--and my political donations across both parties (though 10x more to Republicans) were disclosed in writing, with rationale, before my nomination was ever submitted to the Senate.

As for the perceived conflict--I only know Elon professionally, but having flown to space twice on SpaceX rockets, I have a firsthand appreciation for what he and his companies have accomplished. It is also worth pointing out that SpaceX remains the only way American astronauts have been able to travel to and from orbit since the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011. I hold no direct or indirect equity in SpaceX--or in any aerospace or defense company for that matter. Like all nominees, I signed an ethics letter and would have honored it.

Personally, I don’t regret anything--it was an honor to even be considered by the President. I loved DC and my brief time in the arena. The real disappointment is the time lost by Senators and staff who invested six months into a confirmation process that was ultimately withdrawn. This leaves NASA without a confirmed leader for what may stretch on for over a year. That is not ideal for the world’s most accomplished space agency--or for America--especially as our geopolitical rivals move at impressive speeds to overtake our edge in the high ground of space. Hopefully, a new nominee will emerge soon as NASA needs leadership during this uncertain time.

I have been lucky to live the American Dream and if you know anything about me--you know this was never about political ambition, personal gain or enriching others. I love my country and I care deeply about America’s competitiveness and leadership in space. 🇺🇸

[Monica Isaacman @IsaacmanMonica]

@joelperrotto @rookisaacman @theallinpod @friedberg Thank you, Joel! 🙏🏻

[Monica Isaacman @IsaacmanMonica]

Jared shares his perspective on the nomination. I am grateful for his ability to bring clarity to the situation, and we sincerely appreciate the support we have received from so many. ❤️
@rookisaacman @theallinpod @friedberg

[The All-In Podcast @theallinpod]

🚨🚨 new all-in interview: jared isaacman on what went wrong at nasa

@rookisaacman joins @friedberg for an incredible conversation on:

-- being nominated by president trump to lead nasa

-- the problems at nasa and his plan to fix them: misalignment, bureaucracy, external forces

-- breaking down the proposed budget cuts to nasa

-- why china caught up in defense and space, and how to change america's trajectory

-- private vs public in the space industry

-- why his nomination was withdrawn days before he was set to be confirmed

(0:00) @friedberg welcomes @rookisaacman

(1:10) jared's background: billion-dollar founder, pilot, commercial astronaut

(7:15) relationship with elon and spacex, road to becoming a commercial astronaut

(16:37) becoming trump's nominee to lead nasa, the major issues at nasa and his plan to fix them

(31:52) breaking down nasa's proposed budget cuts, the space race against china, private vs public space industry

(48:31) why jared's nomination was withdrawn by president trump

[Monica Isaacman @IsaacmanMonica]

@VickieMacFadden @rookisaacman @theallinpod @friedberg Thank you so much!